Even decades later, it's a joy to review his observations on the L.A. sports scene.

In 1975, Murray considered Cullen Bryant, the Los Angeles Rams running back who found himself at the center of a dispute between his team and Pete Rozelle, the commissioner of the NFL. Here's how Murray saw it:

A funny thing happened to Cullen Bryant on his way to the Super Bowl the other day. He got blindsided by a guy he didn't even know was in the game. It was like getting tackled by a drunk from the stands. As far as Cullen was concerned, a 12th man was on the field.

The circumstances may be historic. One minute, Cullen was standing on the field in the livery of the Los Angeles Rams and it looked like he had a clear field ahead to big money, sunny Sunday afternoons and Super Sunday. Howard Cosell would be along any minute.

But somebody forgot to block the commissioner of all football, Alvin R. Rozelle, who blitzed.

Click here for the rest of Murray's column about Bryant, who died Oct. 13 at age 58.

-- Claire Noland

Photo: Cullen Bryant, shown here in 1974 at the Coliseum, was a game-breaking kick returner for the Los Angeles Rams. Credit: Robert Lachman / Los Angeles Times